The Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded $20,000 in grants to Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho to build 21 homes in Kootenai County. Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho is one of more than 230 Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding nationwide through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program to help more low to moderate income families access affordable homes.

The grant to Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho, along with the support of Wells Fargo volunteers, will help build affordable condominiums for 21 families in Coeur d’Alene. Located on 2nd Street in Coeur d’Alene, the units are expected to be completed by 2025.

On Tuesday, November 27, Wells Fargo volunteers joined Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho at the 2nd Street construction site where a roof is being added to a building with five condo units. Two four-unit condominium buildings and an 8-plex are also planned for the site.

“As the cost of land and building materials has increased in Kootenai County, it’s been necessary for us to find more ways to keep the final cost per housing unit from rising,” said James Casper, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho. “We are now building condo-style housing in order to prevent the cost per housing unit from increasing any more than it has to.”

Families have been selected for 11 of the 21 units that are under construction. Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho is currently accepting housing applications for the remaining units. More information on the housing program is available at https://www.northidahohabitat.org/housing-program/

The housing program requires sweat equity from every adult in a candidate family. Each adult is required to volunteer at the build sites, take financial education, attend first-time homeowner education classes or webinars, and other volunteer activities totaling 250 to 500 hours.

At least one in 10 Idaho households spend over half of their income on housing and the number of Kootenai County families who are struggling to afford rent is on the rise.

The grant Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho received is part of a $7.5 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program to build and repair more than 350 affordable homes nationwide.

Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho helps homeowners build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. We give families hope for a brighter future.